Winding method and apparatus



,, W4. H. J. M DERMOTT WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed J 21' 1944 Patented Sept. 6, 1949 WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Henry J. McDcrmott, Prospect Park, Pm, assignor to American Viscose Com, Wilmington, Del., a

corporation of Delaware Application July 21, 1944, Serial No. 545,980

17 Claims. (Cl. 242-18) This invention relates to methods and apparatus for winding packages of thread and the like and is particularly concerned with the production of a transfer tail in advance or the main windin of the package.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved methods of winding tails and ap paratus comprising an auxiliary guiding means providing at least two positions in which the thread is directed thereover to form the tail. In one of the positions the path taken by the thread as it passes to the tail being formed is entirely outside the ambit of the main thread guide which is traversed to distribute the main winding forming the package. In at least one other position the thread is so directed to the tall bein formed that a portion of its path lies within the ambit of the traverse guide and the traverse guide is so constructed and arranged that a portion thereof catches and guides the thread into the guide proper, removing it from the auxiliary guiding means. A further object is to provide a winding machine having auxiliary guiding means for forming the tail and so constructed and arranged that the winding of a tail can be started from a continuously running thread. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the drawing hereinafter.

Figure l is a plan view showing one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view of a modification, and

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the modification of Figure 3.

Figures 5 to '7 illustrate the final wound package and the method of completing it.

In Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus is shown as it would be used for winding packages from a continuously supplied thread, such as may proceed from a continuous artificial filament spinning machine. As shown, the thread 2 proceeds downwardly from its continuously feeding source (not shown) about a tension means i, which, as shown, comprises a rotatable roll t pivotally mounted at 8 on an arm 1. A small disc 8 may be secured for rotation with the arm i and a link or rod 9 pivotally connected to the disc 8 at an eccentric point it may connect the tensioning roll t to a suitable device (not shown) for con-' trolling the speed of the winding machine, such as a pressure roll on the driving belt for varying the amount of slippage that may occur in driving the winding head or spindle. In this iashion, the

thread tension is maintained substantially constant by varying the speed of take-up on the winding head. After proceeding about the tension device 3 the thread 2 proceeds upwardly about a guide Ii shown in its normal running position in Figures 1 and 2. From the guide II, the thread passes into a suction device i2 which continuously discharges the thread through the pipe it into a waste receptacle [4. As shown. the device 12 is constituted by an-air ejector, the air supply being controlled-at by the valve ll.

In lacing up the winder, the operator first draws the thread downwardly from its source (not shown) and introduces it into the mouth of the ejector l2. Then he depresses a loop of the thread over guide I I and under roll 4.

As so far described, the thread 2 is shown in its initial stage in which the operator has disposed the path of the thread for further manipulation as will be hereinafter described and it will be noticed that the operator'need not be concerned about any gathering of an excess of material because of the continuous delivery irom its source oi supply. In this position, the arm l is supported by a hook it in its upper position and link 9 is disposed so that no rotation of the winding head occurs. A mercury switch ll carried by the i is arranged in the motor circuit to turn the current on when the thread breaks and the arm i swings to its lowermost position.

When the operator desires to start winding a tell, he depresses the thread path between H and it shown in solid lines to the path shown in the dotted line to by pulling the thread outwardly and then inwardly to bring it under the hook or pin it, which is secured in the base of the winding head it and projects therefrom in an approximately axial direction; releases the bar i by lifting it from the hook it which then falls back to the frame out of the way of the bar i, so that rotation of the winding head I8 is started; after which he cuts the thread in a position in the neighborhood of 20. In deflecting the path of the yarn and hooking it under the pin i9 on the winding head it, the operator may slow down the rotation of the head by manually seizing the foundation core or thread receiver 2i. Once the thread is directed under the pin i9, he may immediately release the winding head and then cut the thread at 20. On releasing the winding head, the thread takes the path 2?) from the guide H over the fixed guide Na and is wound about the base of the winding head to form the tail. As

- the winding of the tail proceeds, the main guide 22 traverses back and forth along the foundation core but is below the path 2b of the thread so that it does not interfere with the winding of the tail. The guide 22 is supported in a mounting 21 carried by a traverse rod or bar (not shown) which reciprocates within a suitable way provided in a traverse frame 28. The traverse frame is pivotally mounted on an axis indicated at 29 so that the reciprocating guide may swing from the package in response to its growth in size. The construction of the traverse mechanism and the arrangement whereby it is swung as a unit from the winding head is conventional and needs no description.

This main thread guide 22 may be of a wide variety or constructions but as shown is formed of a wire having two symmetrical sections each comprising a horizontal arm 23 downwardly extending bight 24 forming the guideway proper, upwardly and laterally extending converging arms 25 terminating in the opposite ends of a reversely bent upwardly extending bight 28. The laterally extending portion of the guide 22 comprising the arms 25 and connecting the bight 26 serves to catch and guide the thread when it is brought into the ambit or within the reach of this projecting portion of the guide into the guideway proper formed by the bights 24, removing the thread from contact with the guide II in so doing.

The guide l'l consists of an arm secured to a stub shaft 30 for rotation therewith. A spring 3! normally biasses the guide ll into the position shown in Figure 2, such position being determined by the abutment of a projection 32 on a collar 33 secured to the shaft for rotation therewith against a detent 34 extending from the supporting framework. When the tail is of sulficient size, guide II is depressed either manually or automatically in response to any suitable timing mechanism (not shown) which may be controlled by the traverse mechanism of the winding machine itself, in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2 into the dotted line position H, such position being determined by the abutment of projection 32 against the detent 35 On the frame. This depression of the guide ll directs the thread through the path 20 and as the guide 22 approaches the tailing end of the machine, the upwardly extending bight 26 slides under and past the thread andupon returning from the end of its stroke, the guide 22 catches the thread beneath the bight 26 and pulls the thread off guides II and Na, after which the thread is guided by the arms 25 into the guideway proper 24 and the regular winding of the package proceeds.

After completion of the winding which then appears as in Figure 5, the foundation core 2! is released by manipulation of the lever 36 which operates in conventional fashion to release the expander of the winding head l8 and the package is removed from the winding head, preferably with some rotation in the appropriatedirection (that of the arrow indicated on the winding head in Figure 2) to unwind a sufficient portion of the tall 31 to permit complete removal of the package 38. The remainder of the tail winding 31 can then be removed from the winding head l8 as shown in Figure 6 and is preferably looped over the package 38 and secured to the other end thereof in a suitable manner such as by a sticker 40 applied just within the nose of the cone (see Figure 7). Alternatively, the tall may be secured to the package in any way disclosed in the copending application of Boyce, Serial No. 543,151, filed July 1, 1944, and now Patent No. 2,451,468.

The preceding description is complete with respect to the formation of packages with suitable tails from a continuously delivered thread. However, the invention is applicable as well to the formation of tailed-packages from a source of supply which can conveniently be stopped at will or which serves the yarn entirely in response to the drawing action of the winding machine. When winding from such a supply which is not continuously delivering regardless of operation of the winding machine, the tension device 3 may be replaced with one which has no influence on the speed of the winding head It. In addition, the suction device [2 and its waste container l4 are unnecessary and may be omitted. The pin I9 may be replaced by any equivalent means for clamping the end of the thread, such as a notch into which the thread may be wedged or it may be omitted in which latter event the operator may merely snub the yarn about the head It before starting rotation thereof. If desired, the entire length of tail may be wound by hand on the portion of the winding head l8 which projects from the foundation core 2| or after securement of the thread to the head, rotation of the machine may be started and the tail completed automatically. In either event, the guide II is depressed when it is desired to start winding the main package.

Figures 3 and 4 are plan and end elevation views respectively of a modification in which I guide Ila of Figures -1 and 2 is unnecessary and omitted, the guide III being similar in construction to guide H but being arranged to direct the yarn during the tall building operation directly down to the winding head without interference with the main traverse guide and having a release position III such as to bring the path of the thread into the way of the projecting portion constituted by 25a and 26a of the guide 22a so that the thread is caught by the lateral extension and removed from guide III and directed into the guideway proper 24a of the main traverse guide 22a.

The auxiliary guiding means for forming the tail may wind the tail directly upon the head I! or it may produce a winding upon the end of the foundation core itself, the core in that case being of such size as to fit over and enshroud the entire body of the winding head. As in the case where the tail is wound upon the head I8, a hook may be provided at the inner end of the foundation core or the core may be notched at its inner end to provide for securement of one end of the thread to be wound. Whereas the tail receiving portion of the winding head is shown as an integral part of the head extending beyond the portion on which the core fits, it may be a separate member, such as a collar, secured to the winding spindle for rotation therewith and it may be of the same or smaller diameter than the adjacent portion of the winding head.

The tail winding device of the present invention is simple in structure and efliclent in operation so that no special care or skill need be exercised on the part of an operator in order to produce a satisfactory tail.

In the claims the term axially" is intended to mean specifically along the axis or in the direction of the axis."

It is to be understood that changes and varia- 76 tions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Ina winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a'aioundation core. a thread guide for winding a package on the core, said guide having a member projecting laterally therefrom, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a guiding element movable from a position providing a normal thread path thereover all portions of which are outside the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide to another position providing a thread path thereover having a portion thereof extending into the path of the projecting member of the thread guide.

2. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, mean for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions oi which are outside the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path oi a thread thereover extends into the path of the thread guide.

3. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, said guide having a laterally extending portion for catching and directing a thread disposed in its path into its guideway proper,

means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions of which are outside the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the path of the laterally extending portion of the thread guide.

ii. in a winding machine, the combination ofa rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means disposed adjacent and beyond one end of the traverse stroke of the guide ior directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, the first-mentioned guide having a portion extending laterally thereirom toward the thread guiding means for catching and directing a thread disposed in its path into the guideway proper, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions of which are outside the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to a position in which at least a portion oi the path of a thread thereover extends into 6 the path of the laterally extending portion of the thread guide.

5. In a winding machine, the combination or, a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means having a movable guiding element pivotally mounted on an axis approximately parallel to that of the core and disposed adJacent and beyond one end of the traverse stroke of the guide for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, the first-mentioned guide having a portion extending laterally therefrom toward the thread guiding means for catching and directing a thread disposed in its path into the guideway 'proper of the traverse guide, said movable guiding element being normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions of which are outside of the ambit of the firstmentioned thread guide and being movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the path of laterally extending portions of the thread guide, and spring means for biassing said auxiliary guiding means into normal position.

6. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, and means spaced from the winding head and core to the side thereof opposite that adjacent the thread guide for continuously drawing the yarn through a path from said auxiliary guiding means extending past and adjacent the core.

7. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for directing the thread into a. winding axially displaced from the package, a pin at the base of the winding head opposite the auxiliary guiding means having its free end projecting outwardly toward the foundation core supported on the head for starting the axially displaced winding.

8. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding a, package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means disposed adjacent and beyond one end of the traverse stroke of the guide for directing the thread into a winding axially displaced from the package, the first-mentioned guide having a portion extending laterally therefrom toward the auxiliary thread guiding means for catching and directing a thread disposed in its path into the guideway proper of the traverse guide, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions of which are outside of the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and being movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the, path of the laterally extending portion of the guide, and means for continuously drawing the yarn through a path from said auxiliary guiding means extending past and adjacent the core. Y

9. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotatable winding head for receiving a foundation core, a thread guide for winding 8. package on the. core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means disposed adjacent and beportions of which are outside of the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to I a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the path of the laterally extending portion of the guide,

means for continuously drawing the yarn through a path from said auxiliary guiding means extending past and adjacent the core, a pin at the base of the winding head opposite the auxiliary guiding means having its open end facing outwardly toward the foundation core supported on the head.

10. In combination, a winding machine having means for rotatably supporting a foundation core, means adjacent one end of the core and rotatable therewith presenting an exposed generally annular surface for receiving a thread winding, the core being separable from the means having the exposed annular surface, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distributethe winding on the core and auxiliary thread guiding means adjacent the exposed annular surface for winding the thread thereon.

11. In combination, a winding machine having means for rotatably supporting a foundation core, means axially oifset adjacent one end of the core and rotatable therewith presenting an exposed generally annular surface for receiving a thread winding, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, said guide having a member projecting laterally therefrom, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for winding the thread on the exposed annular surface, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a guiding element movable from a position providing a normal thread path thereover all portions of which are outside the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide to another position providing a thread path thereover having a portion thereof extending into the path of the projecting member of the thread guide.

12. In combination, a winding machine having means for rotatably supporting a foundation core, means axially offset adjacent one end of the core and rotatable therewith presenting an exposed generally annular surface for receiving a thread winding, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, said guide having a laterally extending portion for catching and directing a thread-disposed in its path into its guideway proper, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for winding the thread on the annular surface comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions therewith are outside the ambit of the firstmentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the path of the laterally extending portion of the thread guide.

13. In combination, a winding machine having a rotatable winding head, a foundation core carried by the head fitting upon a portion thereof and being so constructed and arranged with respect thereto as to leave exposed a peripheral portion of the head axially offset from the core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, and auxiliary thread guiding means for winding thread on the exposed peripheral portion of the head.

14. In combination, a winding machine having a rotatable winding head, a foundation core carried by the head fitting upon a portion thereof and so constructed and arranged with respect thereto as to leave an exposed peripheral portion of the head axially offset from the core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core, said guide having a member projecting laterally therefrom, means for traversing the guide for distributing the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for winding the thread on the exposed peripheral portion of the head said auxiliary guiding means being so constructed and arranged as to provide a normal thread path thereover all portions of which are outside of the ambit of the first-mentioned thread guide and another path thereover having a portion thereof extending into the path of the projecting member of the thread guide.

15. In combination, a winding machine having a rotatable winding head, a foundation core carried by the head fitting upon a portion thereof and being so constructed and arranged with respect thereto as to leave an exposed peripheral portion of the head axially offset from the core, a thread guide for winding a package on the core. said guide having a laterally extending portion for catching and directing a thread disposed in its path into its guideway proper, means for traversing the guide to distribute the winding on the core, auxiliary thread guiding means for winding the thread on the exposed peripheral portion of the head, said auxiliary guiding means comprising a movable guiding element normally positioned to direct a thread thereover through a path all portions of which are outside of the ambit of the firstmentioned thread guide and being so constructed and arranged as to be movable to a position in which at least a portion of the path of a thread thereover extends into the path of the laterally extending portion of the thread guide.

16. The method of forming a package of thread on a foundation core comprising winding a desired length of the thread axially oifset from the core, leading the adjoining thread over the adjacent end of the core and winding the thread on the core, unwinding the length of thread en-' tirely and securing it to the package without winding it about the end thereof from which it was removed.

17. The method of forming a package of thread on a foundation core comprising winding a desired length of the thread axially offset from the core, leading the adjoining thread over the adjacent end of the core and winding the thread QAQLOIL 9 on the core, unwinding the lenlth oi threed entirely, looping the length of thread directly over the mass' of wound thread and securing it to the package near the other end of the core.

HENRY J. McDE-RMOT'I'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Stafford Oct. 27, 1942 

